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Silver Star |
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The Silver Star is a United States military award which is presented to any person
who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, is cited for
gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military
operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. The decoration is also
awarded for those who are serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed
conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a
belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that
required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have
been performed with marked distinction. Soldiers who received a citation for
gallantry in action during World War I may apply to have the citation converted to
the Silver Star Medal.
The Silver Star is the successor decoration to the Citation Star which was
established by an act of the U.S. Congress on July 9, 1918. On July 19, 1932, the
Secretary of War approved the Silver Star Medal to replace the Citation Star. The
original Citiation Star is incorporated into the center of the Silver Star Medal, and
the ribbon for the Silver Star Medal is based closely on the Certificate of Merit
Medal.
Authorization for the Silver Star was placed into law by an Act of Congress for the
U.S. Navy on August 7, 1942 and an Act of Congress for the U.S. Army on
December 15, 1942. The primary reason for congressional authorization was the
desire to award the medal to civilians as well as the Army. The current statutory
authorization for the Silver Star Medal is Title 10 of the United States Code
(Section 3746).
The Silver Star is a gold star, 1½ inches (38 mm) in circumscribing diameter with
a laurel wreath encircling rays from the center and a 3/16 inch (5 mm) diameter
silver star superimposed in the center. The pendant is suspended from a
rectangular shaped metal loop with rounded corners. The reverse has the
inscription "FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION." The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches (35 mm)
wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/32 inch (2 mm) ultramarine blue
67118; 3/64 inch (1 mm) white 67101; 7/32 inch (6 mm) ultramarine blue; 7/32
inch (6 mm) white; 7/32 (6 mm) inch Old Glory red 67156 (center stripe); 7/32 inch
(6 mm) white; 7/32 inch (6 mm) ultramarine blue; 3/64 inch (1 mm) white; and
3/32 inch (2 mm) ultramarine blue.
Additional decorations of the Silver Star are denoted in the U.S. Army and Air Force
by oak leaf clusters, while the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps issue award
stars.
The Bronze Star Medal is another United States decoration which is awarded for
both heroism and non-combat meritorious service. The Bronze Star medal is
often issued to individuals who performed notable accomplishments, but not to
the level required of the Silver Star.
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